English

Alternative forms

• knight-caligate, knight caligate of arms, knight-caligate of arms

Noun

knight caligate ‎(plural knights caligate)

1. (heraldry, obsolete, England) a knight of the common birth who acted as a herald, messenger, and arms-bearer for a noble house and was distinguished by travelling on foot, by his two-color coat, and by his startups ‎(“a kind of thigh-high boots”)

Usage notes

After seven years of service, a knight caligate of arms could be promoted to the status of chevalier of arms and was permitted to ride a horse.

References

• 144 in Barrington, Archibald. "Of Heralds, and the Heralds College." A Familiar Introduction to Heraldry: Explaining in a Series of Lectures the Principles of the Science, and Shewing Its Application to the Study of History and Architecture. London: H.G. Bohn.